Making A Difference

In Memory

Law Enforcement is a dangerous profession. This page is dedicated to Deputy Sheriff Bradley Anderson who was killed in the line of duty while responding on an emergency call.

Deputy Sheriff Bradley Alan Anderson
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, MN
End of Watch: Monday, September 2, 2002  Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 21 yr
Badge Number: 5186

Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Monday, September 2, 2002

Deputy Anderson was killed when the patrol car he was riding in collided with a minivan while he was responding to an emergency call at a group home at 1030 hours. The accident occurred on County Road 100 in White Township. Deputy Anderson's partner was seriously injured and taken to a local hospital.

Deputy Anderson had been with the agency for 11 years and had been with the Alaska State Troopers for an additional ten years.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents, brother, and sister.

Dedication on Duty

St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Todd Abernethy was presented with an Award of Honor for his heroic actions on August 3, 2004. Deputy Abernethy responded to a call of a man starting himself and his house on fire.  Arriving at the scene, Abernethy approached the residence and observed smoke and flames. He called several times for the man and finally heard him in a back room, but was unable to see due to the smoke.  Abernethy entered the house and observed the ceiling, floor and all the contents were on fire. After several attempts he located the man and tried to pull him out. To no avail, Abernethy summoned a firefighter and showed him where the man was located. He was pulled from the house but later succumbed to his injuries.

Deputy Abernethy was honored for his courageous actions and disregard for his own safety.

The Award of Honor is awarded to any person who, conscious of danger, distinguishes himself or herself by the outstanding performance of an act of gallantry and valor at imminent personal hazard to life, above and beyond the call of duty; awarded for demonstration of initiative and/or courage in dangerous or emergency conditions which result in successful resolution of the situation; or awarded for performance of an act under conditions which render a clear and present danger to personal safety.

Top Cop

Deputy Sheriff David Akerson was honored for his devotion to duty and diligence in maintaining his post after an incident on August 2-3, 1996, in which he was shot in the head but managed to continue his duties until backup arrived on the scene.

While investigating a complaint of a suspicious man with a gun, Deputy Akerson found the cabin where the suspect was hiding. After Akerson identified himself as a deputy sheriff, the man suddenly opened the door and pointed a .22-caliber rifle toward Akerson’s head and chest.  Akerson knew from the look in the suspect’s eye that there was no room for reason, and he dived off the front porch while screaming, “Don’t shoot!”

The suspect did indeed shoot  --  three times. Two shots missed Akerson while a third entered his right shoulder, went through his mastoid bone and eventually lodged between his right ear and jawbone. The bullet remained in Akerson’s skull for nearly six months until doctors could remove it.

While bleeding from his wounds, Akerson found cover in a grove of trees and refused to leave his post until backup units arrived on the scene and the assailant was taken into custody. The first unit on the scene was Akerson’s son Jason. It was Jason's first day on the job with his field training officer, and little did he know that he would be responding to a call involving his own father. The suspect was arrested later that night after seven hours of failed negotiations. Deputies had to use tear gas to force him to come out of the cabin and surrender.
 
Since NAPO launched the awards program in 1994, the TOP COPS Awards® have paid tribute to outstanding law enforcement officers across the country for actions above and beyond the call of duty. 

CPR Saves Life of a 2 Year Old

On May 5, 2005 at 4:57 p.m. Emergency Communications Specialist Janice Makowski received a call from a female stating that her 2 year old daughter had fallen into the lake and was not breathing.  Jan began to give CPR instructions to the caller while finding the out the location of the victim.  Rescue units were sent.

St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Dave Lovaas was the first to arrive on scene and began giving CPR to the child. The ambulance unit arrived and transported the child to the hospital where a helicopter was dispatched. 

The child survived and continues to do well in therapy.

Building Evacuated

St. Louis County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Woodman was working patrol in the Hibbing area when he came upon an odor of smoke on Howard Street in Hibbing. As he continued to check the area, he was alerted by a citizen of a fire at 204 E. Howard Street. This location housed a business with four individual apartments above it.

Deputy Woodman was first on the scene, entered the building, and encountered heavy smoke inside. He quickly began knocking on apartment doors, alerting occupants of the fire and assisting them in exiting the building. He quickly evacuated at least four adults and one infant to safety.

During this incident, Deputy Woodman reported the fire to 911 and maintained continuous radio contact with the dispatch center informing them of his progress in evacuating the building. 911 immediately dispatched both Hibbing Fire and Police Departments who arrived on the scene within minutes.

Deputy Woodman's immediate, brave actions undoubtedly protected these citizens of St. Louis County from harm or potential death. His actions speak highly of his professionalism and dedication to service.